Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Virrat
Virrat is the end point of Route 66 and the Poet's Way cruise from Tampere, though itself
not an especially romantic place. There's little accommodation, but
Domus Virrat
(
03-475-5600;
www.domusvirrat.fi
;Sipiläntie 3;s/d €48/72; early-Jun-mid-Aug; )
is a reli-
able summer hotel not far up from the harbour. Smart rooms have kitchens (though not
utensils) and plenty of space; there's also a tennis court, bookable sauna and bikes for hire.
Breakfast is available.
Fri)
in the libary and limited information is also available in the bar by the harbour, 1km
from town.
Several daily buses head from Virrat to Tampere and other towns in the region.
KEURUU
014
Sweet Keuruu sits in a lovely location on the northern shore of Keurusselkä. Its major
drawcard is its fascinating
wooden church
(adult/child €2/free; 11am-5pm Jun-mid-Aug,
ask at museum rest of year)
, built in 1758, with superb portraits of Bible characters (although
the artist didn't complete the set, due to a pay dispute), and a firmament peopled by
scattered beasts, angels and devils. There are also photos of the mummified corpses buried
below the chancel, and a set of stocks for miscreants.
nilantie 4; 11am-5pm daily Jun-Aug, Mon-Fri Sep-May)
serves as local museum and tourist of-
fice. It's one of a clutch of historic buildings here (Vanha Keuruu), housing craft shops and
the like. The cafe serves tasty buffet lunches.
early-Jun-mid-Aug)
run Wednesday to Sunday in summer. It also sails to Mänttä on
Saturdays in July (one way/return €26/39, 2¾ hours each way).
Another magnificent wooden church is 28km east of here at
Petäjävesi
.
Buses run to Keuruu from Tampere and Jyväskylä. Trains between Jyväskylä and Seinä-
joki also stop here.
